• Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition

  • By: BN Publishing
  • Narrated by: Jason McCoy
  • Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (366 ratings)

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Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition  By  cover art

Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition

By: BN Publishing
Narrated by: Jason McCoy
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Publisher's summary

It's more than a book. It's a way of life.

Alcoholics Anonymous - the Big Book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. First published in 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. This is the most widely used resource for millions of individuals in recovery.

©2009 BN Publishing (P)2009 BN Publishing

What listeners say about Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Big Book review

this would have been a great purchase if it weren't for the guy reading it. it is fairly apparent that he isn't as familiar with the book as he could be. he makes little mistakes such as in How it Works he says "Rarely have we seen a person fall..." the text says FAIL. this is just an example but there are several more instances. In some chapters you can hear background noises such as a dog barking and stuff banging around. I had to keep taking out my earbuds to make sure my home wasn't being burglarized. the big book typically makes me quite serene but this audio version made me paranoid and suspicious. would i recommend you buy this? yes. because it's value as entertainment is priceless. i played a game with some program friends called "find the error and get a prize." it encouraged them to read the big book when they were previously reluctant to do so. it's a great learning tool in this regard.

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47 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

WORST NARRATOR EVER

Not only does this guy not read the text correctly, he sounds like the quintessential carpet salesman. What a cheese ball. DO OVER, Audible!

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Worst Reading Ever!

I have to believe you could throw a dart out the window and hit someone…ANYONE that could have read this book better.

This is the worst audiobook reading I've ever heard.

It's like listening to a bad "radio commercial pitch man" audition.

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Very badly read

An amazing book had so many mispronounced words that it left me angry and confused at how such an influential book could have turned into such an awful audio book. The narrator has obviously never read the Big Book, and though he has the raspy voice of an alcoholic, I have to assume there are millions of people out there who could have done a much better job at it. And I would guess they would not have charged for doing it.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A classic & vital book is now available!

This book is a valuable "MUST READ" for anyone (or, anyone who knows someone) who suffers from, or questions that they may have a "problem" with alcoholism or addiction problems. This is the "Bible" and the tenets are the basis of any 12-step Recovery program. It is a classic that has remained relevant over decades. My son is in the program (AA, Cocaine Anonymous), and I am active in our local Families Anonymous. This book is valuable reading that does not get old, no matter how many times I've read and/or listened to it. Thank you Audible.com for adding this selection!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

NOT THE CURRENT EDITION

This is the ORIGINAL EDITION from the 1930's. It is still relevant but it is not current and updated. This edition is a good starting point, but recommend the current edition. I hope that audible.com will attempt to acquire the most current edition.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Important book, Careless reader

Nice to see the Big Book in audio format, but I was disappointed with the reading.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • TM
  • 06-09-13

Miraculous book. Terrible narration.

What would have made Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition better?

The text itself is perfect. This is the book that has helped thousands of alcoholics get into long-term recovery, by explaining how the disease works, showing them they are not alone, and describing how others have achieved and maintained sobriety using the 12 Steps. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous is also an interesting and compelling book because of the history of AA it provides, and the first-person stories from recovering alcoholics of all walks of life, from all periods of AA's history, going back to the 1930s.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition?

In the story of the dually-addicted physician, when he says, "And acceptance is the answer to _all_ my problems today. Whenever I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place or thing--some fact of my life--unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept this person, place, thing or situation as being exactly as it should be at this moment... Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober."

How did the narrator detract from the book?

By an overly theatrical reading and mispronouncing words most people with a high school education would know. Sorry, Jason McCoy. Clearly the fault is not all yours--this was not a carefully produced recording. I can't imagine another person listened to this and let it pass. I hope someone else will do another narration of this and that Audible will sell it. I would happily use another credit just to have an alternate version.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Absolutely. If this is the only version of the book you have, who cares if the narration is flawed? This is a book about a group of drunks who happened upon an answer to a problem that had plagued mankind for thousands of years. And the book was written with the pure intention of helping others--no one made a dime or achieved any kind of fame from it. It is a unique and useful book.

Any additional comments?

If you or someone you love suffers from alcoholism, don't waste another day before finding out more about Alcoholics Anonymous.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Disapointing

Would you try another book from BN Publishing and/or Jason McCoy?

Without being over critical of the narrator.(Jason McCoy) Based on listening to the audiobook, and my own experience reading this book. I would have to question his knowledge of the subject and the books content,sounds like he just picked it up and started reading..........Listen Before You Buy!

Would you be willing to try another one of Jason McCoy’s performances?

Not based on this performance.

Any additional comments?

I did try to return this purchase and was informed it was not eligible for refund.
Thanks!.......... Frank.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Know your material

What disappointed you about Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition?

Whoever is producing or directing these books is just doing a lousy job. The inflections, again, are odd, the punctuation is ignored and the material not understood. Because I know this book so well I can correct the mistakes in my head as I listen, but I am frustrated with the lack of quality...and the fact that I actually paid for them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Be serious

Would you be willing to try another one of Jason McCoy’s performances?

As long as it isn't AA related I would. He does an awful job on AA books...I assume he isn't a drunk.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition?

Seriously?.....okay... Let's get rid of some of those "begats"

Any additional comments?

People who like the material... In this case GET the material, would be a nice touch. I am sure there is a great demand for these kinds of books, but it would be nice if I had the idea that someone involved had read the books and understood the context. Makes me curious to hear ..The Bible, The Koran, The Torah and a few other important books not written in our time.

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2 people found this helpful